Groups to hold pre-Democratic convention protest

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Charlotte has given permission to a coalition to hold a major protest the weekend before the Democratic National Convention.

The long-awaited permits are being issued after the Coalition to March on Wall Street South collected petitions with more than 1,000 names demanding that the North Carolina city approve the Sept. 2 protest. The petitions were handed to city leaders this week.

Coalition spokesman Ben Carroll said Wednesday that organizers have been pressuring the city since filing the permit paperwork eight months ago. The coalition plans to protest economic policies that hurt working families.

He called it a victory but says the groups still want Charlotte to take other measures, including repealing a new ordinance that tightens security during so-called extraordinary events.

The convention is being held Sept. 4-6.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)